Oversight

Interior approves first Gulf oil exploration plan since BP spill

Company’s approach relies on untested oil containment technology.

News

Army backs off plan to privatize medical bill collection

Southern Regional Medical Command drops proposal to outsource billing after union cries foul.

News

Bill would toughen oversight of SBA contracting programs

The bipartisan Small Business Contracting Fraud Prevention Act aims to increase criminal penalties for companies that fraudulently win contracts.

Defense

Report urges intelligence community to use more science in recruitment of analysts

Raw cognitive ability is a better indicator of success than specific expertise, says the National Research Council.

Defense

At least in first phase, U.S. leads Libyan offensive

For now, Operation Odyssey Dawn is under the command of a four-star American general, Carter Ham.

Defense

Costs of Libya operation already piling up

Total price tag of first day alone was more than $100 million, analysts say.

Tech

Program Manager Class

Proposed classification would affect pay plans, series, titles and grades of IT program managers.

News

Hard Bargain on Pay

Pay & Benefits

Senator proposes cuts to federal annuity benefits

Bill would eliminate pensions for all government employees hired from 2013 onward.

News

Top court to weigh privacy against government data needs

Communications technology makes unreasonable searches by police too easy, critic says.

News

From Nextgov.com: Cyberattacks on federal networks up 40 percent in 2010

Agencies should improve continuous monitoring to mitigate threats, says White House.

Oversight

Obama signs three-week stopgap spending bill

Negotiations will continue next week to fund government for the rest of fiscal 2011.

Defense

Senators question U.S. preparedness in wake of Japan's crisis

FEMA says there is no clear answer on first response to a nuclear plant catastrophe.

Defense

Senator seeks interagency border security task force

John Cornyn of Texas says existing organizations aren't coordinating intelligence and interdiction operations.

Pay & Benefits

For Richer or Poorer: Final Words

Some general guidance about options when it comes to providing for a surving spouse.

News

Federal Benefits and Japan